Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Mulago after collapsing during a High Court hearing in Kampala, raising fresh concerns about his health.
Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, reportedly became unwell during proceedings before High Court judge Emmanuel Baguma on Wednesday after objecting to the court’s decision requiring him to proceed with lawyers appointed by the state.
According to family members and political allies, Besigye was initially taken to Mbuya Military Hospital before being transferred under heavy security to Mulago National Referral Hospital at about 8:20 p.m., where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
His family said he was unresponsive when he arrived at Mulago, although hospital officials had not issued a public medical update by the time of publication.
The dramatic scenes unfolded shortly after Justice Baguma ruled that Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya and retired Capt Denis Oola would continue to be represented by court-appointed lawyers despite objections from the accused.
Besigye had argued that the proceedings should not continue before the court determined his application seeking to halt the trial and allow him to secure legal representation of his choice.
He questioned why the hearing was proceeding before that application had been decided and maintained that he could not fairly stand trial without lawyers he had personally instructed.
The judge rejected the application, directing that the case proceed with the advocates appointed by the court.
Shortly afterwards, Besigye collapsed, prompting court officials to suspend proceedings as security personnel and medical responders attended to him.
Following his transfer to hospital, members of Besigye’s family expressed concern over his condition and called for unrestricted access to his medical team.
Supporters of the opposition politician also questioned the circumstances surrounding his treatment, saying his personal physician, Dr Olive Kobusingye, had experienced difficulty accessing him after the collapse.
The authorities had not publicly responded to those claims by the time of publication.
This incident comes amid heightened public attention surrounding Besigye’s trial, which has been marked by legal disputes over representation and tighter courtroom access rules introduced by the Judiciary.
Earlier this week, the Judiciary announced new measures requiring journalists covering the case to obtain accreditation and restricting photography, electronic devices and live broadcasting inside the courtroom.
Judicial officials said the measures were intended to safeguard security while preserving the accused persons’ right to a fair and public hearing.
Besigye, one of Uganda’s most prominent opposition figures, has faced multiple arrests and prosecutions during his political career spanning more than two decades.
The current case, in which he is jointly charged alongside Hajji Obeid Lutale and retired Capt Denis Oola, has drawn widespread attention from political leaders, lawyers, human rights organisations and members of the public.
The accused have denied the charges against them.
Attention is now expected to shift to Besigye’s medical condition and whether his health will affect the continuation of the trial.
The court has yet to indicate when proceedings will resume following Wednesday’s adjournment.
